http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_battleship_Oslyabya
https://books.google.com.my/books?id=x6tl49QUU3QC&pg=PA34&dq=russian+Mediterranean+Squadron+1904
According to the sources, the battleship Oslyabya, 2 cruisers and 10 smaller escorts [of the Russian Mediterranean Squadron] were sent to the Pacific to reinforce the Russian Far Eastern Fleet, but several technical difficulties led to the group being sent home while in the Far East. Now, what if the group of ships continued [or the battleship and several escorts at least] were able to continue? If nothing unfortunate happened during the voyage and the ships weren't recalled because they were in the Pacific on 8 February 1904, what would be the consequences?
The group of ships was recalled to prevent destruction, but if the voyage continued, how would the Japanese stop them? Would this impact the Russian Japanese War in a significant manner?
Other pods that are useful [and better than the mentioned]:
1. The Russians rotate their battleships, cruisers and smaller vessels less frequently from the Far East. On 8 February, this gives them at least one battleship and if possible, more than that. While the Imperator Nikolai class was obsolete, could the presence of the Navarin, Sissoi Veliky, Admiral Makarov, Vladimir Monomakh and Dimitri Donskoy tip the balance in favour of the Russians?
2. The Second Pacific Squadron doesn't wait for the older and slower Third Pacific Squadron and reaches the Far East earlier. How would this scenario's Tsushima battle occur?
3. The Russians concentrate a larger portion of the fleet [better most of the warships] in the Far East. Would the Japanese even consider going to war in this case, if it is feasible?